The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law in regions plagued by traditional conflicts, declaring that criminal elements exploiting chieftaincy disputes will face full legal consequences.
Addressing the media on Monday, July 21, Dr. Boamah made it clear that the state would no longer allow custom to serve as a cover for lawlessness. “We shall always separate crimes from traditional matters,” he said, stressing that individuals who incite violence or disrupt peace in the name of culture or tradition will be prosecuted as criminals, not appeased as stakeholders.
This strategic distinction, according to the Minister, is central to ensuring justice and sustainable peace in hotspots like Bawku and Alavanyo, where longstanding tensions have frequently erupted into violence.
While acknowledging the volatility in these regions, Dr. Boamah assured that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) remains actively deployed and prepared to prevent any escalation. “We are monitoring the situation closely and have robust response systems in place,” he noted.
Dr. Boamah also reiterated government’s dual-track approach to peacebuilding — combining strong legal enforcement with ongoing dialogue and mediation. “The state remains committed to engaging all legitimate actors in the search for lasting peace. But those who perpetuate violence under the guise of tradition will be met with the law,” he said.
His remarks come at a time of renewed unrest in the Bawku enclave and fears of its spread to surrounding areas. Security experts have often cited the need for clearer policy enforcement to distinguish between cultural disputes and criminal conduct — a line Dr. Boamah says the government is now drawing firmly.
As part of a broader national security policy, the Defence Ministry aims to reinforce lawful governance in vulnerable regions and to curb the cycle of impunity that has emboldened armed factions under the pretext of customary rivalry.
